INIDORA AND GENESSANO.
De L'Ester—Like musical chords touched by unskilled fingers are your thoughts, Gentola̤. For some minutes we have watched your hurried preparations for our journey and it is evident that, though your spiritual aspirations reach out toward highest ideals, material duties equally claim your attention. Yours is a harmonious combination of the Mary and Martha natures. Martha, now, will please close her eyes, fold her active, capable hands and rest while Mary shall accompany us starward.
We too, wish that it might be possible for you in your fully conscious moments to recall the memory of events, scenes and other matters pertaining to our journeys. As you cannot, that which your soul self will be made to write must serve as a record of your experiences while absent from your body. And when under my supervision you will, for publication rewrite the record, you will vividly realize all that has or will occur during our mission. You now are in a tranquil state and we will be off. George, we are ready.
Ah, how grand, how exhilarating is the movement of this inconceivably swift magnetic current, bearing us on its glowing, undulating bosom toward our destination, which we are nearing. Lower, lower, George. Look downward now, Gentola̤, for we are over the morass.
We perceive that the learned visitors have departed and that the great fossil is being carefully prepared for removal. The ledge is being further pierced to afford a passage for the waters of the morass, and the excavation is nearly completed. Some time we again will pass this way to observe the result of the skill and labor expended in accomplishing so considerable an undertaking. This being an agricultural region, the irrigating reservoir will greatly add to its fertility.
We now will move southward for about fifty miles, and you will observe how thickly populated is the region over which we shall pass and that the inhabitants enjoy a degree of the comforts and luxuries of life found only among a highly civilized, consequently prosperous, people. Observe too, the fine architectural effects, the well tilled fields and roadways as smooth and level as floors. And let me tell you, fine roadways always indicate an advanced civilization.
You are surprised at the paucity of animal life, but if you will consider that but few Entoans are flesh eaters, that but a limited number of milch animals, known as Vochas, are required; that agricultural machinery and most vehicles are propelled by electrical appliances, you will perceive the reasons why animals are not more in evidence. However, on portions of the Planet there are herds of animals known as Angossa, which are bred solely for their wool. By but one race, who are flesh eaters, are they used as food.
Having reached the southern limit of this cultivated plain, we now will turn eastward. Yes, owing to porosity of the soil throughout this region irrigation is prevalent. Now that we are about to lose sight of the mountain range, it occurs to me that I have neglected to acquaint you with its name, which is Keneto alista. The exact significance of Keneto I cannot find in your language, but the shades of meaning would include giantlike, enormous, immense and the like. Alista is the Ento word for mountain. From northeast to southwest its length is about two hundred miles, and for the most part it lies almost parallel with the equator. Its greatest elevation is but little more than 6,000 feet above sea level, and among mountain ranges north of the equator it takes first rank.
We now approach a region whose natural water supply is quite exceptional and the inhabitants equally so. To say why would but mar your interest in what may come under your observation. We now will descend to yonder slight elevation, and you, Gentola̤, will speak of whatever to you may appear noteworthy.
Gentola—All about us is a level country, luxuriantly clothed with grains, grasses, flowers, shrubs and groves of great forest trees. Here and there are gray stone buildings, some quite large, others smaller—apparently outbuildings. At a distance are a few animals like some we have seen elsewhere. In front of us is a large meadow on which the grass grows luxuriantly and at its further side, in a grove of great trees, is a rather large gray stone building with smaller ones nearby. From that direction a man and woman come toward us; both are taller than any persons I have seen on Ento. Really, they are gigantic in stature and well proportioned. They are dark skinned, black haired and black eyed, and in their faces is an expression of gentleness and simplicity which renders them quite attractive. Both are clothed in loose garments of what appears to be a coarse, brown woolen cloth. The upper garment of the man falls a little below his knees and he wears what you term birrsch (trowsers) of the same cloth, and pfettaa (shoes) of what seems to be leather, or a material very like it. His heavy black locks are held back by a really pretty filagree, silver fillet, which is wider in front than at the sides or back of the head. The rather loose fitting upper garment of the woman falls nearly to her feet, which are incased in shoes similar to those worn by the man. The distinguishing feature of her very simple costume is the queer head ornament she wears. It is very like a gilt bird cage without top or bottom. The lower band fits closely about her head and her long, black hair is drawn upward through the cage, falling over the upper band and down onto her shoulders in a heavy fringe. Sheltered, as though under a canopy, she walks behind the man, and both seem to be searching in the grass for something. Carefully parting the grass with his hands, the man eagerly hastens forward, snatching at some creature running away from him. Now he springs forward and seizes—ugh, it is a large serpent, and he with one stroke of a large knife severs it in pieces. The woman laughs delightedly, and pats him on the back, but evidently the hunt is not ended, for Giant resumes his search in the tall grass, and Giantess follows timidly. Now he waves her back, and with a great leap he has caught another serpent, which he also decapitates and casts from him. You may laugh at me if you like, but I am not fond of snakes. An inherited aversion? Perhaps so, and a very positive one.